Framework for a tent or like structure



June 5, 1956 A. o. MARING 2,748,785

FRAMEWORK FOR A TENT OR LIKE STRUCTURE Filed Nov. 12, 1952 F|G.6b FIE-3.6a

INVENTOR.

AAFKU L7 .MARINB United States Patent FRAMEWORK FOR A TENT R LIKE STRUCTURE Aafko 0. Maring, Hilversum, Netherlands, assignor to N. V. Lemet Iudustrie, Hilversum, Netherlands, a company of the Netherlands Application November 12, 1952, Serial No. 319,984

Claims priority, application Netherlands November 21, 1951 1 Claim. (Cl. 135--3) This invention relates to a framework for a tent or like building of large dimensions, such as army tents, amusement tents, semi-permanent structures, halls etc. The erection of such structures which must be tightened by means of a great number of guy ropes is a difficult operation which takes up much time. Moreover the appearance of the tent is unfavourably influenced by the guy ropes.

The invention has for its object to obtain a framework for a tent which is very light in weight, easy to erect and does not require guy ropes. According to the invention the framework comprises a central column which at its upper end is provided with a hub and further a rim supported by posts and spokes of wire or band steel tensioned between the hub and the rim. The root covering, which e. g. consists of rubberoid, canvas, plastic-foil, metal-foil, may be secured to the spokes, but the spokes may also be embedded in the covering material or arranged between two layers of covering material.

The rim is subjected to pressure by the tension occurring in the spokes and the roof structure is adapted to take up heavy loads so that it can withstand violent wind. Moreover the structure is cheap as it requires only a minimum quantity of material.

Reference will now be made to the drawing showing two embodiments of the structure according to the invention and in which:

Fig. 1 shows a framework for a permanent building in sectional elevation,

Fig. 2 is a cross section of the rim on a larger scale,

Fig. 3 is a section of part of the hub in the structure according to Fig. 1 also on enlarged scale,

Fig. 4 shows a framework of modified construction in sectional elevation,

Figs. 5a and 5b are a sectional elevation and a plan view respectively on a larger scale of part of the rim in the structure shown in Fig. 4, and

Figs. 6a and 6b are a sectional elevation and a plan view respectively of part of the hub.

The central and preferably tubular column 1 at its upper end carries a hub 2 secured to the column. The rim 3 is bent from iron of T-shaped section and supported 2,748,785 Patented June 5, 1956 on posts 4 and secured to said latter by means of bolts 5. Between the hub 2 and the rim 3 spokes 6 of wire are secured, which at one end have a head 7 and at the other end are provided with screw thread so that they can be tensioned by means of a nut 8.

A layer of wire mesh 9 is laid on the spokes 6 and covered by a water tight cloth 10 such as rubberoid or canvas. Said covering is secured to the spokes by split rivets 11, which each carry a small hook 12'. A collar 12 of wood is mounted on the rim 3 and on said collar the covering 10 is secured by nails 13. A ring 14 of wood is mounted on the hub 2 and to said ring the covering 10 is secured by nails 15. The hub 2 is closed at its top by a sheet metal cover 16 provided with a covering 17.

With the embodiment according to Figs. 4-6 the spokes 6 at each of their ends are provided with an eye 22 and engaged in a hook 23 on the rim 3. The spokes are U-shaped and hooked with their bends on studs 24 of the hub 2a. When the spokes 6 are engaged on the hooks 23 and on the studs 24 the hub is still in its dotted line position 2. The upper part 1a of the column is adapted to be raised out of the lower part and at its lower end is provided with screw thread the engaging a nut 25 supported on the top of the lower part of the column 1'. If with said arrangement the upper part It: is screwed upwards by means of nut 25 the hub 2a reaches its full line position in which the spokes 6' are tensioned. The posts 4 are connected to each other by a ring 26 secured to the ground by means of pegs 27.

What I claim is:

A tent having a framework comprising a central colunm adapted to be supported on the ground, a hub secured at the upper end of said column, a circular continuous stiff rim, posts for supporting said rim, means for anchoring said posts to the ground, spokes of wire extending between said hub and said rim and connected thereto, a roof covering supported on said spokes, and said central column including means for adjusting said hub in vertical direction for tensioning said spokes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 519,178 Douglas et al May 1, 1894 641,586 French et al Jan. 16, 1900 1,449,894 Dial Mar. 27, 1923 1,543,134 Todd June 23, 1925 1,588,820 Spillman June 15, 1926 1,773,656 Wasilkowski Aug. 19, 1930 2,530,765 Greenup Nov. 21, 1950 2,670,818 Hacker Mar. 2, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 2,948 Great Britain of 1868 204,537 Great Britain Oct. 4, 1923 349,000 Italy June 4, 1937 

